THIS is a tale of an Afghan woman who was trapped in South Waziristan. I, hereby produce the story as narrated by her: “My name is Sangeena, 60-year- old, and come from Afghanistan; now, I live with a family in North Waziristan as a guest. The host family is caring and has provided me with a home away from home.

In 2014, the host family was displaced by military operation in North Waziristan. The family, with other families, temporary settled in our village. The displaced families of North Waziristan returned some 14 months ago. Without them, we felt our village is incomplete. Our village became deserted and lost all its shine and activities. Even we didn’t know about any border here in our area.

I slept without eating or drinking anything, as I had come out of my home empty-handed. As I opened my eyes, it was almost dawn. I offered my morning prayer and I resumed my journey. After going some distance, I decided to come onto the road which leads to Daigan, my destination. As I started my journey along the road, two F.C personnel stopped me but later allowed me to go. I am a mother of seven children and miss them so much that I cannot sleep until midnight. You will be detained if you tried to establish any kind of communication with people on the other side.

The host family talked to military personnel in Daigan for permission of my deportation to my home across the border.

The host family arranged for a car. We were allowed at check posts after showing the permission letter. When we reached the border, the Frontier Corps personnel at the border stopped us. We showed the letter, but they did not allow us to cross the border. We waited for almost six hours for the response of the officers but they turned down our request for permission to cross the border. We waited for almost six hours for the response of the officers. At last, they turned down our request for permission to cross the border.

It added to my worries about my family. The hosts told me that I have been caught between borders; but I felt like I have been stuck between two mountains!”

Farhad Wazir

South Wazirisatan

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2018